Arrival

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. Well well well, interesting movie. Just came from Famous Player Paramount and watched the 4:40pm screening. SO... where can I start... was I happy? Disappointed? Excited? Delighted? Bored? Hmmm... even know... I am still thinking... Ok well first, let's start from the start shall we? Ok, everyone knows Denis Villeneuve... right? If you don't... and you still went to watch it... you might be disappointed... if you do... then perhaps, you might be delighted... BUT, in both ways, "cannot" be entertained... I REPEAT, you will "NOT" be entertained. Why? Well, if you know Denis Villeneuve, he is someone who likes "simple" "psycho-dramatic" type of movies. If you watched his movies such as "Incendie" (which I loved by the way), you can understand that he doesn't aim for Action-Packed type of movies. This said, a lot of what I watched tonight really represented who he was... fortunately? Or unfortunately? It really depends on what you expect out of this movie. First of all, if you expect something such as "INDEPENDANCE DAY" alien invasion with a lot of sci-fi visual effect and badass aliens butt kicking warmongering... don't go watch it, you will hate it to the bones. If you expect something more "psychological" and brings you to reflection, perhaps then, it could be convenient for you to a certain degree. Let's just say that, it's very "slow" pace... not a lot of action (actually, there's none -_-) This movie was more about bringing out some sort of indirect message to humans to save the world (and yes, the world is at stakes!) Now, let's talk about the script, it was well done. All actors brought their best following the script. For the storyline, it not "LINEAR"... nope, you will get confused until the end (I was). That my friends, it's Villeneuve's special touch :) Now, as for the SCI FI in overall... the alien ship was well done. They look pretty real. I love the originality of "zero-gravity" inside the alien ship and walking upside down in it as well. That was interesting. However, I didn't like the "sound effect" of the spaceship as it resemble too much to the "Independence's Day" alien ship sound effect (when they move or arrive, etc.) Sounds too alike... déjà vu. I didn't like the Aliens itself. (spoiler alert!) The look like the aliens from MONSTER (Gareth Edwards 2010) but smaller versions. Even worst, they look like the Aliens from "The Mist" 2007 movie. The Aliens were seen in other movies so I wasn't very pleased and furthermore... quite disappointed. The idea of "communicating" with them was interesting... but nothing more... 2/3 of the movie was all about that so... I don't know. I mean, it's ok... but, there was no action... no surprise... (well maybe one) and that's it. The rest, was all focused on Amy Adam's way of interacting with them. The way the Aliens sound was quite similar to The Mist alien's language or sound if you prefer. Well, I would say, a lot of things was copied from the movie "The Mist" I would say. Quite disappointing. Un-original. Let's talk about Amy Adams, I think she was ok in her role. But, I felt like, everything was "too much" focused on her and her alone. (just like in Batman V Superman) she is everywhere... well... not that it is bad... but, I was hoping more from secondary actors. However, she did provided. But somewhat, I felt that she could of done better... like here emotion was stuck... when I look at her facial emotive reaction to certain scenes... I feel like she is "focusing" on trying to provide... instead of simply "providing". Like... it's not "natural" enough? Something like that. That's why I think they should of showed more from other actors more than her alone. Because if she don't provide enough... it will eventually have an effect on the entire movie. But she was ok. I think her daughter did a better job seriously -_- As for Jeremy Renner ( her partner for translating ) he was like the joker of the movie... but... I don't think he did his job to the fullest. He was too passive the entire movie. Their was little to almost no emotions at all the entire movie. Felt like... he wasn't even there somewhat... I was disappointed here again. As for Forest Whitaker, I don't know about him, I think they should of picked someone else more intimidating. He didn't provide enough and made the movie weak. Some of his script was so dull and predictable that I didn't even want to listen to what he says anymore. Too bad, he is a great actor, but his script was not convincing. Now, also, the ARMY, well... sorry to disappoint all of you... but they look super "weak"... like..."Canadian" weak? Lol joking... but, I felt like... they were like puppets in uniform. They were not even intimidating at any part except at the end when they were searching for Amy... wow... that was the only part we get to see some soldier showing their "Soldier" attitude... like... seriously... all the way to the end? Wow... anyways, as for the "International negotiator"... he was weak as well. I think it was his script again. Sometimes, I though he would burst of anger... but he remain calm as a puppy. He is supposed to be the most stressed out man in the movie since he is in touch with all the Governments on the world. But he always looked... relaxed... well, look, how can you look relax when you got Aliens Spaceship all over the world not knowing what to expect at any moment? Very bad script. Although I think he did look good in his role... but the script killed his role. WHO DA HECK THE SCRIPT WRITER? [...] anyways, as for the rest of the people in the background, well, they were so-so... the movie like I said was entirely based on Amy Adams and her "visions"... so you barely see anything else the entire film... Now, you also see during this movie "results" of fear among the world in NEWS... but, it didn't felt "powerful nor convincing"... like... felt like the news was broadcasting few video shot from old YouTube video of riot and protests? Seriously... it was not convincing at all... like... if you look in other aliens movies, you can feel the fear and panic around the world in so many ways... and again... there were few moments only that they would show those news so... It didn't felt like the world was in panic or going berserk at all... felt like... a walk on the beach... let's get invaded it's all good. -_- AS for the World Government wanting to attack the aliens, again, there was snapshot of video that highly resembles to "youtubes video". The soundtrack also was bad... I mean... sometimes, you're supposed to be scared, but they added a soundtrack that was "happy" in a "ambiguous" scene... like really? The soundtrack the scenes didn't match at all... which is why... this movie didn't felt either "tense"... either" emotional. Well... not emotional enough. I think the blending of SCI FI and PSYCHO-THRILLER-DRAMA Villeneuve wanted to express in this movie was not achieved because... everything was "mis-matched"... It's hard to explain but you will see what I mean. As for the "Final ending" or surprise ending everyone talks about... well... hmmm... well... ok, it was "good" and clever... but nothing more. I also felt like the real action was like at the end for like 5 minute only of the entire film... was I happy or surprise at the ending? Sigh... I don't know... I was like " hmmm"... than "hmmm"... then..." Huh? "... then " sigh"... -_- So, I don't think I need to say more. You will see for yourself and maybe feel the same way as I did. Oh, lastly, the final speech Jeremy said to Amy... was..."cheesy". Sorry, but, the here, again, it was the actor... and the "way" he said the last lines that makes it sound cheesy. Although it was good and somewhat emotional. Like I said, they picked wrong actors for this movie. So overall, I give it a 6.5 on 10. I love Villeneuve... but this film... it's either you "really" love it... either you "really" hate it. I'm neither. Unfortunately.